Rail Budget 2014 well thought-out, non-populist: KPMG

MUMBAI: Hailing the Railway Budget as "well thought-out" and non-populist, global consultancy KPMG today said it provides the much needed strategic financial headroom required for the railways to make critical investments in its modernisation and expansion plans.

"The much-needed support for PPP as a significant source of investment capital is the backbone of providing the strategic financial headspace," KPMG said in a statement.

The budget appears to be very well thought out and having something for all its stakeholders without being populist, it said.

According to KPMG, using modern technology to enhance safety and security, as well as improving management by deciding to adopt an ERP (enterprise resource planning), is a welcome step.

"We hope that there is also a focus on energy efficiency in order to bring down the operational costs, thus improving operational profitability," the statement said.

However, in addition to all the positive steps laid out in the rail budget, it would have been helpful if there was focus on non-traffic revenue generation to enhance profitability of railways, it said adding measures should be adopted to enhance domestic capability for modernisation of railways.